Which year to buy
Best bet2018Fewest serious problems: 0.2× usual
Newest we'd buy2024The latest year rated a good buy
Avoid2019Far more serious problems than usual
Be careful2013, 2020, 2025More problems; check the recalls were done
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual Extended coverage
16 serious complaints of 21, the most about air bags (12) and engine (2); per car on the road, 0.8× this model's usual year. 3 recalls.
What owners report
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 audi a6. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v427000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Jul 2018
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage This document contains general information on the upcoming warranty extension on the high pressure fuel pump. (Dealer, Apr 2015)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new Takata warranty extension for 2005-2017 A3, A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, S4 Sedan, S4, Avant, A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A5 Cabriolet, S5 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan, Q5, R8 Coupe, R8 Spyder, RS4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S6 Sedan, S6 Sedan, TT Coupe, and TT Roadster… (AWA 22, Apr 2022)
- Extended coverage Audi: all audi 2011-2012 model year with an 2.0 tfsi engine will be extending the warranty on all fuel injectors. 7/23/15 *ta (PRI-A, Jul 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
21 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 19–24 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged; 3.2L 6-cyl; 4.2L 8-cyl · Drive: AWD, FWD
2011 A6 trims
| Premium | Premium Plus | quattro Premium | quattro Premium Plus | quattro Premium, Prestige | quattro Prestige |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Audi reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Audi aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | — | — | — | Not rated | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2026 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335–362 hp | AWD | 23–24 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 8 | Electrical system (4) | — |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 25–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 11 | Forward collision avoidance (4) | Yes |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 25–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 5 | Service brakes (1) | Yes |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 24–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 3 | Electrical system (1) | Yes |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | 4WD, AWD | 23–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 9 | Electrical system (4) | Yes |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 248–335 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 22–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 12 | 30 | Electrical system (18) | Yes |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 248 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 22–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 9 | 35 | Electrical system (25) | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 248 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | AWD | 25–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 7 | 114 | Electrical system (84) | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 252 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged, 340 hp | AWD, FWD | 23–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 6 | Electrical system (2) | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 252 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | AWD, FWD | 24–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 25 | Engine (8) | Yes |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 252 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged, 240–333 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel, 240–333 hp | AWD, FWD | 24–30 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 70 | Engine (30) | No |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD, FWD | 21–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 27 | Engine (9) | No |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD, FWD | 21–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 61 | Engine (19) | No |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | AWD, FWD | 21–28 mpg | Not rated | 8 | 94 | Engine (48) | No |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | AWD, FWD | 22–28 mpg | Not rated | 8 | 59 | Air bags (14) | No |
| 2011 | 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.2L 6-cyl 4.2L 8-cyl | AWD, FWD | 19–24 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 21 | Air bags (12) | No |
| 2010 | 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.2L 6-cyl 4.2L 8-cyl | AWD, FWD | 18–22 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 18 | Air bags (12) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: A6 2017–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | AUDI A6 SEDAN 4 DR ICE AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | AUDI A6 ALLROAD SW MHEV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 2 |
| 2026 | AUDI A6 SEDAN 4 DR N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 6 |
| 2026 | AUDI RS 6 AVANT PERFORMANCE SW MHEV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | Audi A6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 6 |
| 2025 | Audi RS 6 Avant performance SW AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | Audi S6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 3 |
| 2024 | Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Audi A6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 3 |
| 2024 | Audi RS 6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 2 |
| 2024 | Audi S6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi A6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi RS 6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi S6 Sedan 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 5 | 2 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 4 | 2 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi RS 6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 5 | 1 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi S6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 4 | 4 |
| 2021 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 11 | 17 |
| 2021 | Audi A6 (With Rear Seat SABs) 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 12 | 26 |
| 2021 | Audi RS 6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 12 | 4 |
| 2021 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 10 | 0 |
| 2020 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 9 | 25 |
| 2020 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | No | 9 | 25 |
| 2020 | Audi A6 (With Rear Seat SABs) 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | No | 9 | 25 |
| 2020 | Audi A6 (With Rear Seat SABs) 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 9 | 25 |
| 2020 | Audi A6 allroad SW AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 4 | 8 |
| 2020 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Standard | No | 6 | 2 |
| 2019 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | No | 7 | 114 |
| 2019 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 7 | 114 |
| 2018 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 1 | 4 |
| 2017 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2017 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2017 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 2 | 5 |
| 2016 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 51 |
| 2016 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 51 |
| 2016 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 2 | 19 |
| 2015 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 22 |
| 2015 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 22 |
| 2015 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 2 | 5 |
| 2014 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 41 |
| 2014 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 4 | 41 |
| 2014 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 3 | 20 |
| 2013 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 6 | 52 |
| 2013 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 6 | 52 |
| 2013 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 3 | 42 |
| 2012 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 8 | 59 |
| 2012 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 8 | 59 |
| 2011 | Audi A6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 19 |
| 2011 | Audi A6 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 19 |
| 2011 | Audi A6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 21 |
| 2011 | Audi S6 4 DR AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 | Audi S6 Avant SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | Audi A6 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 17 |
| 2010 | Audi A6 Avant Wagon w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 17 |
| 2010 | Audi S6 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | A6 Allroad quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2026 | A6 Sedan | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 23 |
| 2025 | A6 Allroad quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2025 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
25–26 |
| 2024 | A6 Allroad quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2024 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
25–26 |
| 2023 | A6 Allroad | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2023 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
24–27 |
| 2022 | A6 Allroad quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 23 |
| 2022 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
24–26 |
| 2021 | A6 Allroad | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 22 |
| 2021 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
24–26 |
| 2020 | A6 Allroad | Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo | 22 |
| 2020 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
24–27 |
| 2019 | A6 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo |
25–27 |
| 2018 | A6 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2018 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
23–26 |
| 2017 | A6 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2017 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
24–25 |
| 2016 | A6 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2016 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
24–30 |
| 2015 | A6 | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2015 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–29 |
| 2014 | A6 | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2014 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–29 |
| 2013 | A6 | Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2013 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–24 |
| 2012 | A6 | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 28 |
| 2012 | A6 quattro | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg | 22 |
| 2011 | A6 | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.2 L | 24 |
| 2011 | A6 Avant quattro | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg | 21 |
| 2011 | A6 quattro | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L |
19–21 |
| 2010 | A6 | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.2 L | 22 |
| 2010 | A6 Avant quattro | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg | 21 |
| 2010 | A6 quattro | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L |
18–21 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.